Stephen Spies

Name: Stephen Spies

Age: 14

From: Berkeley, CA

Watch ADORNO perform Stephen’s “Train Hopping”

Composer biography:
(Young Peoples Chamber Orchestra) conducted by Rem Djemilev. I wrote my first orchestral
piece for this orchestra that performed it for their spring concert. I went to middle school at the
Crowden Music School where I composed multiple pieces for different groups including “End of a
story” and a piece for orchestra and 5 stringed electric violin. I have written pieces for multiple
young composers concerts at Strings (In Berkeley California) including “fifths” and two
movements for viola and piano. At the Jewish community center I wrote part of the music for
some youth plays. I have written multiple pieces for silent movies such as “Oliver Twist” (The
1922 silent film) and “Three Ages” (1923 silent comedy) shown to the public at Niles Essanay
Silent Film Museum. I have also recently participated in the John Adams young composers
program. Composition teachers I have worked with include Molly Axtmann, Allan Crossman,
Dean Curtis, Arcadi Serper and Yiorgos Vassilandonakis.
Work List:

The Coming and Leaving of the Beast - performed by YPSO (Young Peoples Chamber
Orchestra)
Fifths - performed with me on violin and Joshua Hess on Piano
Two movements for viola and piano - performed
Music to Three Ages (silent film) - 3 pieces I wrote for each age (Performed at Niles
Essanay Silent Film Museum)
Music to Oliver twist (silent film) - Multiple pieces I wrote for the each different movie
scene include: Opening titles/birth of Oliver, courthouse music, workhouse music, Bumble’s
Theme, Fagin’s Theme, Oliver’s theme, Bill Sike’s theme, Nancy’s theme, and many other tracks
(Performed at Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum).
Brass quintet - performed by the Farallan brass quintet
Woodwind quintet - performed by the Avenue winds woodwind quintet
End of a Story - performed by a Cowden Music School chamber group
Movement for Electric violin and Orchestra - Performed by a Crowden Music School
Orchestra
Play music - Performed by a Crowden Music School Orchestra
Piano quintet - performed by a Cowden Music School chamber group